Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Rio Rancho, NM Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Rio Rancho, NM

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,106 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,620 in Rio Rancho, NM, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,599 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,842 in Rio Rancho, NM, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,092 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,064 in Rio Rancho, NM, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 19% more than Rio Rancho, NM, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Chicago, IL and Rio Rancho, NM sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 126%, Rio Rancho, NM by 91%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.86 $19.86

$16.98 $16.98

16.96%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.3 $88.3

$76.1 $76.1

16.15%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.23 $13.23

$12.10 $12.10

9.34%

Cappuccino

$5.86 $5.86

$5.48 $5.48

6.93%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.61 $2.61

$2.85 $2.85

-8.42%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.32 $2.32

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.03 $7.03

$5.85 $5.85

20.17%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.25 $9.25

$6.82 $6.82

35.63%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$1.08 $1.08

24.07%

White Bread (500g)

$4.19 $4.19

$3.18 $3.18

31.76%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.50 $5.50

$4.59 $4.59

19.83%

Eggs

$4.71 $4.71

$4.18 $4.18

12.68%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.72 $14.72

$11.88 $11.88

23.91%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.53 $14.53

$19.58 $19.58

-25.79%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.69 $19.69

$18.97 $18.97

3.80%

Apples (1kg)

$5.64 $5.64

$5.36 $5.36

5.22%

Banana (1kg)

$1.97 $1.97

$1.68 $1.68

17.26%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.04 $4.04

$3.93 $3.93

2.80%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.07 $5.07

$4.29 $4.29

18.18%

Potato (1kg)

$2.94 $2.94

$1.12 $1.12

162.50%

Onion (1kg)

$2.92 $2.92

$3.33 $3.33

-12.31%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.28 $2.28

$2.03 $2.03

12.32%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.12 $3.12

$2.52 $2.52

23.81%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$16.19 $16.19

$10.24 $10.24

58.11%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.17 $15.17

$15.85 $15.85

-4.29%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.67 $2.67

$2.13 $2.13

25.35%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.48 $3.48

$3.56 $3.56

-2.25%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.22 $2.22

14.41%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$76.0 $76.0

$50.8 $50.8

49.57%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.16 $3.16

$2.96 $2.96

6.76%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.37 $1.37

$0.72 $0.72

90.28%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$22.66 $22.66

$31.37 $31.37

-27.77%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.20 $1.20

$0.92 $0.92

30.43%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$37.0K $37.0K

$31.1K $31.1K

19.21%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.0K $26.0K

$24.7K $24.7K

5.36%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$190 $190

$165 $165

14.79%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$68.5 $68.5

$44.24 $44.24

54.79%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.1 $61.1

$72.2 $72.2

-15.41%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.8 $63.8

$41.02 $41.02

55.49%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.80 $27.80

Cinema Ticket

$18.28 $18.28

$17.47 $17.47

4.64%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,525 $1,525

$1,359 $1,359

12.15%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$32.0K $32.0K

$10.8K $10.8K

196.02%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.0 $64.0

$55.2 $55.2

16.06%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$54.4 $54.4

$56.2 $56.2

-3.13%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$101 $101

$79.4 $79.4

26.65%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$153 $153

$117 $117

31.32%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,421 $2,421

$1,618 $1,618

49.67%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,690 $1,690

$1,271 $1,271

32.94%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,584 $4,584

$2,459 $2,459

86.40%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,782 $2,782

$2,174 $2,174

28.01%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,170 $4,170

$2,729 $2,729

52.77%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,739 $2,739

$2,329 $2,329

17.61%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,777 $4,777

$6,196 $6,196

-22.90%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.05

5.45%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Chicago, IL: August 29, 2026

Last update for Rio Rancho, NM: August 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,421 in Chicago, IL versus $1,618 in Rio Rancho, NM. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 30% higher in Rio Rancho, NM, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $88.0 in Chicago, IL versus $76.0 in Rio Rancho, NM. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $465 vs $440 – making Rio Rancho, NM the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Chicago, IL vs Rio Rancho, NM: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,106 in Chicago, IL, $2,620 in Rio Rancho, NM – roughly 19% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,659 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,931 in Rio Rancho, NM. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Rio Rancho, NM, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Groceries cost about 6% more in Chicago, IL, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $88.0 in Chicago, IL and $76.0 in Rio Rancho, NM. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,106 in Chicago, IL and $2,620 in Rio Rancho, NM. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,620 in Rio Rancho, NM to $3,106 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Rio Rancho, NM. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Chicago, IL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.